CRITICS’ PICKS

FILM

What: Paterson Where: Capitol 6 When: Daily, 4 and 9:10 p.m. Why: Nothing much happens in Paterson, at least in conventional narrative terms, and this is precisely what makes writer-director Jim Jarmusch’s lyrical drama and love poem to the town of its title such a simple pleasure. It’s a model of artful minimalism, observing a week in the life of a philosophical New Jersey bus driver (Adam Driver) whose passion for poetry is matched by his wife’s artistic enthusiasm. Although Driver gets some competition from this couple’s scenestealing English bulldog, you’ll be mesmerized by his beautifully understated performance as the poetry-scribbling title character. It’s worth noting that while the narrative style Jarmusch employs to chart the couple’s day-to-day existence makes the film seem like a poem, it’s not for everyone. — Michael D. Reid

DANCE

What: Ballet Victoria: A Midsummer Night’s Dream and other works Where: Royal Theatre When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday Tickets: $30 and up (250-386-6121) Why: In his reimagining of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Ballet Victoria’s Paul Destrooper has cast talented principal dancer Andrea Bayne as the irrepressible Puck. Added bonus: the evening features two works by Peter Quanz: Le Banc and Luminous. A talented young Canadian choreographer, Quanz has created ballets for the likes of American Ballet Theatre and the Mariinsky Ballet. — Adrian Chamberlain

ABBA TRIBUTE

What: Abbamania Where: McPherson Playhouse When: 7:30 p.m., March 16 Tickets: $49 (250-386-6121) Why: Love it or not, few would deny that the music of ABBA is responsible for the kind of relentless ear-worms that penetrate your brain like a dentist’s drill. Put another way, if creamy pop confections such as Dancing Queen or SOS don’t make you want to do the electric boogaloo, they’d better test for a pulse. This tribute show is a twofor-one deal: Night Fever, a Bee Gees band, is also on the bill. — AC